Oasis brothers keep their distance on triumphant reunion tour

Liam and Noel Gallagher have brought the hits but not necessarily the harmony as they launch their blockbuster comeback from separate hotels and green rooms.

After 16 years of feuding, Oasis has made a triumphant return to the stage – but the band is not quite back together.

Liam and Noel Gallagher’s highly anticipated reunion tour Oasis Live ’25 kicked off on Friday in Cardiff with a thunderous setlist before a wild crowd of 75,000.

They opened with Hello from the classic 1995 album, What’s The Story, Morning Glory, after which a parka-clad Liam shouted “it’s good to be back” before going into fan favourite Acquiesce from their 1994 debut, Definitely Maybe.

Offstage however, it’s a very different story, with the brothers reportedly choosing to keep their distance, having their own green rooms, hotels, and even afterparties.

Oasis perform during their reunion concert on Friday, July 4, in Cardiff. Picture: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

Tour insiders say the Gallaghers are determined to avoid each other outside of performances and have also arranged separate VIP areas backstage.

“The lead up has all been ¬carefully orchestrated, as everyone knows how delicate and fragile Liam and Noel’s relationship is,” a source close to the band told The Sun.

“They don’t want to overexpose themselves to each other. Having separate residences is the best option so they can relax in their own space.

“They stayed in separate locations outside the city around half an hour away from each other. They’re happy families at the moment and they want to keep it that way.”

The decision harks back to their infamous 2009 bust-up in Paris, which ended in a smashed guitar and the band’s sudden split just before a gig. Despite a fragile truce to reunite for this record-breaking tour spanning 41 shows across 12 countries, their relationship reportedly remains distant.

Liam Gallagher from the band Oasis performs during their reunion concert. Picture: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

So far for fans though, the friction hasn’t dulled the magic of their legendary live presence. The Cardiff show was a huge success, featuring classics like Wonderwall, Live Forever, and Don’t Look Back in Anger. Reviews praised the Gallaghers’ “electric” chemistry on stage.

Dominic Mohan, who once toured with the band, called the reunion “the biggest comeback in music history.” Writing for The Sun, he noted: “Whatever’s going on behind the scenes, the power of those songs and the raw edge of Liam’s voice cuts through. They may not hug it out, but they don’t need to. The music does the talking”.

Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis performs during their reunion concert. Picture: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

BBC reviewers echoed the sentiment, describing the Cardiff opener as “a generational event.” Fans had queued since dawn, some travelling from as far as Argentina and Japan, hoping to witness the piece of rock history.

Backstage, though, the atmosphere was less euphoric. Each Gallagher had his own crew, security, and guest list. According to reports, their team has been briefed to keep paths from crossing, both before and after gigs.

Liam Gallagher, left, holds the hand aloft of Noel Gallagher from the band Oasis as they perform during their reunion concert on Friday, July 4, in Cardiff. Picture: Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP

They came out on stage hand-in-hand, but there were no direct words exchanged between the brothers for the entire concert, which was just over two hours’ long.

Liam paid tribute to the cheering fans as he introduced the last song of the night, Champagne Supernova.

“Nice one for putting up with us over the years,” he said. “We are hard work, I get it.”

Aussie fans will be hoping time will thaw some of the ice before Oasis hits Melbourne and Sydney for stadium concerts from October 31-November 8.

Originally published as Oasis brothers keep their distance on triumphant reunion tour